WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 36, 1 March 1940, Page 43

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

Dear Friends, Calling all bachelor girls once again! Last week we talked on food;.what a self-support-ing business girl should eat-and what she shouldn’t, To-day I thought we might talk about dress-that problem of a business girl’s life. She is not like her leisured sister; she cannot wear overalls or littie house-frocks; she cannot comfortably relax and let her nose shine like glass; And who cares? She has to work hard from nine till six-and look trim and neat while she’s doing it. A girl’s job often depends on these things, and the same .thing applies in securing a job. A prospective employer is impressed most by a neat and appropriately dressed applicant; which is not to say that a girl should look "officey" in her dress-far from it. Any firm likes to see female employees looking smart and attractive. The four cardinal sins to avoid are-over-dressing, extreme styles, too elaborate a coiffure, and: too much make-up. Most business girls have a "sense" in. these things, and instinctively re-act along the’ correct Hnes. Dressing for the office, whichever way you look at it, is a problem. Girls are compelléd to dress for the weather, and for the best part of the year in New Zealand there is a nip in the weather. Which brings us to costumes. They are the answer to a business girl’s prayer. They have the merit of making their wearer look spruce and well groomed, and they become a necessity in.the cold weather, Now autumn is approaching, costumes come under consideration. Even if it is for the office, ‘a costume can still be as smart as you can make it. Skirts this year are slim and short-but not too short. Jackets are brief and fitted with wide lapels-or a half length swagger coat is again in the fashion. Collarless jackets are also to be seen this season with gay scarfs tucked in at the neckline. Satchel bags, by the way, lend a dashing note to a costume, The business girl should always have three ‘or four good silk blouses, and two or three jumpers on hand to wear with her suit. These should be made wellfitting, so that when she discards her coat in the office she looks equally smart and spruce. ‘ An excellent idea, though it may mean an ‘extra preliminary expense, is to have two skirts made with a costume. The skirt comes in for most wear during office hours, and if worn alternately, week. and week about, will double the life and appearance of a suit, On the question of make-up. It is a good plan to keep a little beauty kit at the office-powder, lipstick, foundation and cold cream, and face cleaners, Remember a well tended face and hands ‘are as important as a neat costume. At lunch-time, don’t repair your make-up, remove it and add a fresh one, A patched-up complexion is never successful, and the other will repay your little extra time and trouble. Move lightly with lipstick and rouge. Office daylight is ruthless and revealing, and that extra spot of colour will keep till you get home at night under the electric lights. The bachelor business girl who does her own -housekeeping has to contend with two important factslimited space and time. Usually one room is her kingdom, and she has only her own self to rely on for getting things done. Yours cordially,

Cynthia